Raiders vs. Denver Broncos at a glance

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has thrown an NFL-worst seven interceptions in the fourth quarter of games this season, including three against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Oakland. Ben MargotThe Associated Press

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has thrown an NFL-worst seven interceptions in the fourth quarter of games this season, including three against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, in Oakland. Ben MargotThe Associated Press

THE PARTICULARS

Opponent: at Denver

Time: 1:05 p.m. Sunday

Line: Broncos by 61/2

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Osweiler’s education: Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler has been sacked a dozen times in 14 quarters, but many of those have been because he’d rather take the hit than risk an interception. “I believe ball security and quarterbacks protecting the football – that’s our job,” Osweiler said. “ … If that means I have to take an extra hit to avoid an interception, sign me up for it.” Osweiler has two interceptions in his three starts. Peyton Manning threw 17 in his nine starts before a foot injury sidelined him.

Late-game woes: The one blemish on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr’s season is fourth-quarter follies. He’s thrown 23 touchdown passes with just two interceptions in the first three quarters but a league-worst seven interceptions with just three touchdown throws in the fourth quarter. “I always want the ball,” said an undeterred Carr. “I always heard Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant say they missed a lot more game winners than they hit. But the only ones we seem to remember are the ones they hit. Someday, hopefully that will be the case, that there is a lot more that we make.”

Sack attack: After struggling to pressure the quarterback early in the season, despite the addition of pass-rush specialist Aldon Smith, the Raiders have put opposing passers on the run the past few weeks, and Smith was suspended for the season. The Raiders have nearly half (14 of 29) of their sacks over the last four games, including 10 in three games since losing Smith. Khalil Mack needs one sack to become the first Raider to reach double digits in a season since Warren Sapp and Derrick Burgess in 2006.

Familiar faces: Osweiler has faced the Patriots’ Bill Belichick and several former Broncos coaches who are familiar with his play: John Fox, Adam Gase, Mike McCoy and now Jack Del Rio. “I don’t really look at it like that,” Osweiler said. “I say, ‘Who’s the defense that I’m playing? Who’s the coordinator? What do they like to do? What coverages do they show? What blitzes do they do?’ I just attack it like that. I don’t get into too many thoughts as far as, ‘Does this guy know me?’”

Off and running: The Broncos averaged 86 rushing yards with Manning and 161 with Osweiler, one reason C.J. Anderson dismisses Denver’s 43-yard performance against Oakland in Week 5. “We’ve gotten a lot better from there,” Anderson said. “We were just learning the system and still trying to get in it. I think now we’ve executed the last few weeks better, so we should be fine.”